Flora of New Zealand Series

bear's breeches

Perennial herb with thick roots. Stems to c. 120 cm high, stout. Petiole usually 10-50 cm long in radical lvs, 2-5 cm long in cauline lvs. Lamina oblong to ovate-oblong or broadly ovate, to c. 50 × 30 cm, pinnatifid to pinnatisect, sometimes with 1-2 distinct basal leaflets; lobes or leaflets dentate (spinose-dentate in cauline lvs), glabrous or puberulent beneath on the veins, dark glossy green above. Bracts 3-4 cm long, ovate or broad-ovate, spinose-dentate; main veins raised, purplish. Calyx 3.5-5 cm long (uppermost and lowermost lobes); lobes entire, purplish towards apex. Corolla 4-5.5 cm long, whitish or pale pink with purple or brownish veins; lobes broad and rounded. Filaments stout, c. 2.5 cm × 2.5 mm, often curved; anthers villous on ventral side. Capsule 3-4 cm long, oblong-ovoid, shining, beaked. Seed 1-1.3 cm wide, flattened.

N.; S.: scattered localities throughout in settled areas.

S.W. Europe 1958

Vicinity of dwellings, sometimes spreading to a minor extent along roadsides, especially where shady, river banks and pastures around houses.

FL Oct-Apr.

Bear's breeches is an escape from cultivation apparently spreading mainly vegetatively by the thick roots. It is distinguished by the large, pinnately divided lvs, spinose bracts, and 1-lipped calyx (Fig. 8).

Fig. 8. A Acanthus mollis; B-C Actinidia deliciosa, B ♀ fl., C ♂ fl. © All rights reserved. [Image: 4X67]